Exclusive: Big WWE Star Reveals Why He Couldn’t Enjoy His Title Runs

Kevin Owens Reflects on Turbulent WWE Tenure: A Champion’s Journey of Discontent and Redemption

In a candid revelation, Kevin Owens, one among WWE’s most dynamic and celebrated stars, has opened up about a length of intense non-public and professional struggle throughout his impressive profession. In an interview with Shakiel Mahjouri, Owens discussed the difficult phase he experienced at some point of his Universal Championship run, dropping mild on his inner battles no matter external fulfillment.

Owens, who burst onto the WWE scene in 2014 with a high-impact debut in NXT, quickly made a name for himself with a series of high-profile victories. By May 2015, he had made his mark on the main roster with a dramatic attack on John Cena, setting the degree for an illustrious career. Over the next few years, Owens captured a series of prestigious titles, inclusive of the US Championship, the Intercontinental Championship, and the Universal Championship.

Despite these accolades, Owens revealed that his time at the top was fraught with dissatisfaction. Reflecting on his Universal Title reign from 2016 to 2017, Owens admitted that he struggled with his own expectations and the constant pressure to achieve more. “It’s natural to want to be on WrestleMania in the biggest way possible and winning titles,” Owens said. “It’s still an accolade that’s incredibly flattering. But I think what helped me be less obsessed by that aspect of it is from 2015 to 2018, 2019—that’s all I could think about.”

Owens described a relentless drive to surpass his own achievements, which ultimately left him feeling unfulfilled. “That was when I was champion all the time. I was Intercontinental Champion, I was US Champion, I was the Universal Champion, and I was never happy. Never happy. I always wanted to do more. I wanted the next week to be bigger.” This relentless pursuit of the next big thing created a cycle of dissatisfaction, leaving Owens unable to fully enjoy his successes.

A turning point came in 2018 while Owens underwent double knee surgical treatment, which sidelined him for 5 months. This duration away from the hoop proved to be a critical juncture for Owens, supplying him a hazard to reflect and benefit from his profession and personal life. During this time, he had a pivotal conversation with WWE legend Shawn Michaels, which played a significant position in reshaping his outlook.

Owens recalled how Michaels’ words helped him shift his perspective. “Just hearing it from somebody I looked up to so much just kind of helped me let go of that,” Owens shared. “Since then, I’ll still have my moments where I get swept up, but I’m able to pull back, go like, ‘Hey, this is pretty incredible.’ Maybe it’s not perfect, or maybe it’s not the way you think it should be sometimes, but come on. That’s been very helpful.”

Since that period of reflection, Owens has embraced a more balanced approach to his profession. He has celebrated sizeable achievements, together with sharing the ring with iconic figures like Stone Cold Steve Austin and triumphing the Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania along with his first-rate buddy, Sami Zayn. These moments have underscored a brand new chapter in Owens’ profession, characterized via a renewed appreciation for his adventure and accomplishments.

Amidst these reflections, Owens is likewise facing uncertainty concerning his destiny with WWE. He revealed in a separate communique that his modern settlement is ready to run out in January 2025, potentially making him a unfastened agent in much less than six months. Owens’ maximum recent settlement, signed in overdue 2021, turned into reportedly worth as much as $three million in keeping with 12 months. The prospect of turning into a loose agent provides a new layer of intrigue to Owens’ profession, leaving enthusiasts and enterprise insiders alike speculating about his subsequent circulate.

As Owens navigates this transitional phase, his past experiences offer a compelling narrative of private boom and professional evolution. His journey from a discontented champion to a extra fulfilled and reflective athlete highlights the complex interaction between achievement and satisfaction within the international of professional wrestling.